Baby Products:BABY WIPES.

BABY WIPES

Because of the very thin, soft, and hydrated nature of baby skin, most types of chemical substances are easily permeable. In general, areas subject to a high concentration of moisture and soiling agents may provide a favorable environment for bacterial colonization. Areas of baby skin such as the buttocks, upper thighs, lower abdomen, pubic area, and groin that are subject to repetitive exposure to soiling agents, including urine and feces, require constant cleansing to avoid skin ailments (e.g., dermatitis).

Commercially available over-the-counter baby wet wipe products are manufactured to be minimally disruptive to the epidermal barrier and thus suitable for use on intact or compromised, irritated skin. While pre- moistened wipes generally differ in cleansing lotion formulation (emollients, preservative, pH, etc.) and fibrous composition, the wipes should be suitable for daily cleansing of the diapered area, even for infants with sensitive skin. Wipes should also be chemically formulated to avoid causing significant changes in the natural pH of pubic and buttock skin, as skin pH changes may exacerbate bacterial growth. In general, commercial baby wipes usually contain active cleansing ingredients such as purified water, potassium laureth phosphate, or chlorine dioxide. In addition, emollients and skin moisturizers such as propylene glycol, aloe barbaden- sis or aloe vera gel, polysorbate 20, cocamphodiacetate, sodium coco PG dimonium chloride phosphate, or glycerin may be added, along with emul- sifiers such as cetyl hydroxyethylcellulose or PEG-75 lanolin. Vitamins (e.g., tocopheryl acetate [vitamin E acetate]), pH-buffering agents (e.g., tetra- sodium EDTA, malic acid, citric acid), fragrance, and preservatives (e.g., sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, DMDM hydantoin, methylparaben, propylparaben, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3- diol [alcohol], methylchlorisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, quater- nium 15, and potassium sorbate) may also be added. Some consumers have found the extensive use of alcohols, fragrances, and preservatives in commercial wipes to be drying and irritating to the delicate tissues of their children and choose to use homemade wiping cloths with a simple cleansing solution such as purified water, mild soap, and skin-lubricating mineral or natural herbal oil.

Cellulose fibers and an adhesive binder characterize the fibrous compo- sition of most wipes. Often, special applications involve the depositing of cellulose fibers with the assistance of an electrostatic field to promote the properties of moisture absorbency and bulkiness with high absorption capacity. High-quality premoistened wipes are usually marketed in converted quarter-folded or flat-pack forms within a resealable plastic container.